Senators in rowdy session over Rivers crisis

The Senate was thrown into turmoil yesterday over the unfolding crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The confusion led to the division of the upper chamber to determine where each senator stood on a resolution on seeking to mandate the Inspector General of Police to address the issue of the broken relationship between Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Commissioner of Police Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu.

The framing of the resolution did not go down well with the majority of the lawmakers who wanted outright call by the Senate for the removal of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police.

The stalemate continued for over one hour as the plenary became rowdy.

The Senate had held a closed session that lasted over one hour immediately it resumed for plenary.

The unscheduled secret session turned out to be an indication that all was not well.

The contentious resolution followed a Point of Order moved by Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast).

Abe moved Order 43, which deals with personal explanation, and told his colleagues that there was an incident at the Rivers State House of Assembly, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

He noted: “What happened was that since May 6, 2013, the Rivers State House of Assembly has not sat because the State’s Police Command withdrew police protection from the House of Assembly.

“However, after about 63 days that the Assembly could not sit, the Assembly received a communication from the Governor that he wanted to come and make some alterations in the state budget.

“The Assembly wrote to the police and decided to reconvene after not sitting for 63 days.

“When they met in the premises of the Assembly, a faction of the House, five members out of a total of 32 members, came into the Assembly and tried to impeach or destabilise the House.

“They beat up the Speaker, the Majority Leader and other members of the Assembly who were forced to run out of the Assembly and they tried to impeach the speaker with five members.

“Rivers State House of Assembly has 32 members and a quorum of the House should be 11 members.

“Be that as it may, the majority members were able to come back and then, the House sat, but before that happened, there was fracas, there was a fight and several members were injured.

“Surprisingly, this was happening at the House of Assembly, which is directly opposite the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters.

“At the time this was going on, because of the letter the Speaker had written to the Commissioner of Police, the assumption was that the policemen were there to protect the Speaker and all members of the House of Assembly but, unfortunately, that was not the case.

“We all know that in the Constitution, the impeachment of a speaker or a governor, two/third of the members of the Assembly is required.

“Even as we speak, the incident has continued to generate tension in the state. This (yesterday) morning , I heard there was shooting of tear-gas even into the Government House.

“It is clear that the Rivers State Police Command under the command of the present commissioner is incapable of controlling the situation in the state.

“This Senate needs to save, not just the House of Assembly but to save Rivers State and to save our democracy.”

Senate President David Mark did not allow contributions from the floor.

He noted: “Clearly, what is happening in Rivers State is an embarrassment to legislators across the length and breadth of this country.”

“It is in the interest of the State House of Assembly not to do anything that will portray legislators as irresponsible because that is not what we are.

“Clearly also, what is happening is totally unacceptable and it must be condemned in its strongest possible term in its entirety irrespective of who is directly involved or who is behind it.

“It is not a situation that we expect and we would not want it to continue beyond this point where it has reached.

“Because of the urgency, I also believe that this Senate must take urgent step to protect democracy and to protect this country and to ensure that democracy continues to grow and improve in the country.”

Mark directed the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, to read already written resolutions for affirmation of the Senate.

Ndoma-Egba moved that in pursuant to the Point of Order raised by Senator Abe, and the guidance Mark offered, that the Senate should condemn in strong terms the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly which portents danger for the country’s democracy.

The resolution was unanimously adopted.

Ndoma-Egba also moved that the Senate mandate the Committee on States and Local Governments to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the crisis in Rivers State House of Assembly and report back to the Senate within one week.

It was also unanimously adopted.

The resolution that in the interim, all parties to the crisis should maintain the status quo and refrain from any action capable of jeopardising the security of lives and property in Rivers State, was also adopted.

The Senate also resolved that “this Distinguished Senate should at all times uphold the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

Mark explained that the resolution was for the sake of emphasis.

Trouble started when Ndoma-Egba read the fifth resolution for adoption.

It states: “The Senate further resolves that the Inspector General of Police should take immediate steps to address the issue of the broken relationship between the Governor of Rivers State and the State Commissioner of Police.”

When Mark put the question, there was a thunderous “nay” in the chamber.

Mark said it was important that members understood the limit they could go in taking resolutions.

He put the question the second time and it was not clear whether the “ayes or nays” carried the day.

There was confusion in the chamber as Senators were observed canvassing in groups in the chamber.

After about 30 minutes, Mark read what he called amended version of the resolution.

The slight amendment did not go down well with some Senators as the confusion continued.

Not satisfied with the turn of events, Senator Babajide Omoworare, who represents Osun East, raised a Point of Order.

He quoted Order 73 (1)(2)(3) of the Senate, which deals with division of the Senate in the event of uncertainty in voting and called for division.

Omoworare said, “There is equality of votes. I am of the opinion that the nays had it. I call for division. The Rivers State House of Assembly has been taken over by militants. We cannot stay here and watch helplessly.”

Mark directed that the gallery be cleared and all the doors leading to the chamber be locked as required by the rule.

When the gallery was cleared and the doors locked, Mark again proceeded to put the question once again as required by the rule.

He ruled that the ayes had it. The disorder in the chamber intensified.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu raised Order 73 (2)(3).

Ekweremadu said that according to the Order, the Senate President could only proceed to the next stage of division of the Senate if his ruling was challenged.

Omoworare promptly challenged the ruling and said that he felt that the “nays” carried the day.

Mark mandated the Clerk to call Senators one by one to vote.

“For the first time let us state where we stand on an issue,” he said.

After the voting, Mark announced that three Senators abstained, seven were absent, 47 voted “no” and 50 others voted “yes.”

Some Senators felt that the announcement of the result did not reflect the voting.

Mark, who was visibly agitated by the disposition of some senators over the result, said they collectively condemned what happened in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He said he announced the authentic figure while any other figure by any senator could not be valid.

He noted that those who disagree with the figure could go to the tribunal to challenge his ruling.

Mark added, apparently for emphasis that the implication of the result of the division is that the resolution mandating the IG to take steps to address the broken relationship between Amaechi and Mbu remains.

Mark ! Mark ! Mark ! How many times were you called ??? Take it from me,if you are not careful this rivers state crisis will consume you.tell that clueless oga and his power hungry wife that nigerians are watching and ready for them, they will be disgrace back to otuoke from where they came from

Great ogbu

This has become a nation affair now and will consume mark.

david

I quite agree with you. This is yet a little fire that can consume the whole forest.

Poloole

My brother, even if you multiply these calls by Three (9 times), Mark will not answer you; all their minds are on the banana plantation in Ogoni land that is due for harvest. Kindly compare Abe’s comments in this article to the video clips (scene 1, 2 and 3 on youtube).

Coco-Bassey Esu

Senator mark is not sincere here,d best way is to order IGP to deploy mbu to else way becos with d situation at hand there is no magic IGP can do to heal d broken relationship becos mbu is acting GEJ script and he knows very well except mark will tell us he is part of d written script,from onset he is never with d masses except with d executive doing their evil bidding

Chinedu.

Is this enough reason for a leader of the house to batter his colleague to coma my broda.

SAM UMOH

GOV AMAECHI HAS SOWN WIND,HE IS EXPECTED TO REAP WILD WIND.PLEASE,SENATORS,RESIST THE IRRESISTIBLE GHANA MUST GO FROM PORT HARCOURT.GOD WILL BLESS YOU

Lanre Johnson

David Mark has never disappointed me, not with antecedents. He’s always been a sell-out. He sure has a place in history- posterity will never forgive him. But this shall pass us by!

This goes to show the poor quality of legislators we have in Nigeria. They are unquestionably a bunch of election cheats and rascals, only good at self-gratification and self-aggrandisement. They talk of democracy without knowing its true meaning. What good do they do to warrant the consumption of almost three quarters of the country’s total income? Fat salaries, fatter allowances and perks, even fatter contracts. Only God will decide your punishment for looting Nigeria dry.

Philyx .E.E

There is a visible pattern playing out from the Governors, and the House Members wishing to consume the Nation- a case of DISLOYALTY.

Abubakar A. Dabang

We are begining to enter a very mighty problem in Rivers, if proper care is not taken our president will turn our country to the like of Egypt which we don’t want. please Mark, ensure true and justifiable enterfairance to this issue so that the problem will not agreviate.

Ahmed Tijani

Senate presidor, have u ever had dis adage. A humble beginning nd a woeful ending. While never pray for dat. But be careful with dis River issue. If nt u’ll be doomed in it.

ekunDAYO ADENIRAN

Mark my word this offcolour Mark is destined to fall down under with his PresiDUNCE boss and Oga Madam on Top. Sooner than you could ever imagine ! And with the speed of thought1 Row, row, your canoe, unmerrily down the creeks in Otukpe, Jonah, the Blooming despot/ and mount on the hump of your own camel, Mark onwards to Otukpo, a famished land you’ve never had the lick of conscience to develop. A safe place is secured for both of you Very Important Parasites in the nation’s Hammer House of Horrors and Infamy… The Oracle has Spoken. End of Discussion.

Looting treasary since 1999 to established DAVID MARK PRIVATE UNIVERSITY after sieze three communities land in BENUE STATE. Support executive bcos of his ambition to become PRESIDENT, U can’t be president after JONATHAN. Mark my words

Royal blood

Whatever the senate President do is wrong but when the House of Representative Speaker do his,he is right why?the speaker and the governor (R/S) are friends what is wrong if the senate President and the President are friends too?

ekunDAYO ADENIRAN

Satanic Friends , Yes; but fatal fiends against the best interest and happiness of the greatest number of the Nigerian people. Both of them will face the verdict of History pretty soon. And you know what they’ll be as guilty as the sootiest sin. Mark my words on this , friend of the PresiDUNCE! The future of Shame and Disgrace belongs to those who believe in the beauty of spreading nightmare , in place of lofty dreams , to their people. No place to hide for these two cruel hearts that beat as one! The Oracle has spoken!

Ekpenyong Cobham

Who will save Nigeria, if the Senate of the Federal Republic can not stand on the side of truth and justice.
Why are we begging the issue, when we all know that the actions of the police commissioner is indicative of an insubordinate mole planted for the destabilization of River State and the fertilization of the womb of a grand plot to remove H.E. GOVERNOR CHIBUIKE AMECHI from power.
Thus it is arrant nonsense for the senate to pass a resolution asking the IGP, to tell a errant commissioner of police to respect his boss in accordance to the dictate of the law and the demands of his office.
Mr senate president, stop talking from both sides of your mouth, this senate must find the courage to summon the the IGP and the commissioner to appear before it and explain the on going show of shame. Nigerians are watching.

Ero

Abe is an innanimate skeleton. U wanted the police to kill the 5 anti speaker lawmakers and accuse them of been in possession of arms. Ur deception will kill u and all who have teamed up against the weaker side in this fraca. Mbu is the only unbias police superman who does suppress the weak while protecting the strong. Abe, is this ur functiö to the ogonis in fct? Remove cp! Who will remove u? Rubbish!

we nogo die

Mark will never change the marks on his skin.

Deji Adisa Mike

I know that Our distinguished Senetors will be undistinguished over the mater I salute the courage of our honorable Reps for been honorable ,posterity will judge us as at when due

Ero

Here is maturity,responsibility and nobility of most admirable hierarchy displayed by David Mark. ‘Investigate the remote cause of the rivers’ crisis.’ This is where amaechi, house of rep and their supporters have failed and don’t recommend because they know they are the root cause of the crisis.they want to use the police to silent the oppressed side. Apc senators aren’t for true democracy,Human right group is mute, NLC support amaechi to make Obio Akpor people slaves in their own land. Here David mark is judge by some alliens to truth as antangonist. Pity many Nigerians. Evil and falsehood rule the world.

CHUKWUEMEKA

There is no doubt that Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi is fighting his state war in Abuja obviously Rivers state allocation is now shared between him and the law makers. The way the house of assembly is taking sides with him sugests that if not can some explain where a video where we see both parties battering each other is now meant to look as if its only the anti Amaechi that did the fighting. At least am not yet blind the man wearing white and hitting his colleague and even aided by a police man is Chidi lloyd, our law makers should not haste in conclusion, also why should the rep from obio akpor not given a fair hearing even when he was given the floor by the speaker. Amaechi, Nyeao wike and all concerned should be careful.

Ebuka Amaechi

It is incumbent on all Senators in the hallowd chamber of the house of Senate of fed.Republic of Naiga who were all expectd to be matured Men / Women of honour to always look beyound parochial interests, party divide,religious bigotary or selfish considerations in issues of National importancy & threat to security/properties of Nigerians.Such as the near state of anarchy in River State, which unforunately some Senators reducd to mere party affairs by the objection expressed by some Senators over the Senates Nationalistic resolution the IG of Nigerian Police Alhaji Abubakar should recall the River State comm.of Police,Mr Joseph Mbu,whose utterance & actions against the State Gov. Amaechi leaves no one in doubt about which party he belonged in the man made crisis in River State.The onus is now wt the IG to Take immediate step to recall Mr Mbu from River State to police Hqtrs in Abuja for further briefings& in service trainings to Educate hin on need to be non partisan & excercise professional ism in discharge of his a Nigerian Police Officer.

Ejirovie Oniarah

This crisis that Jonathan has started will drive him form Aso rock

Femi Daodu

Chukwuemeka, this forum is for people who can think aright. It not for magots. You are not only blind, you are a blind man kept in darkness.